A Next Generation Network (NGN) is a packet-based network able to provide services including
Telecommunication Services and able to make use of multiple broadband, QoS-enabled transport
technologies and in which service-related functions are independent from underlying
transport-related technologies. It offers unrestricted access by users to different service
providers. It supports generalized mobility which will allow consistent and ubiquitous
provision of services to users.

The NGN is characterized by the following fundamental aspects:

Packet-based transfer

Separation of control functions among bearer capabilities, call/session, and application/ service

Decoupling of service provision from network, and provision of open interfaces

Support for a wide range of services, applications and mechanisms based on service
building blocks (including real time/ streaming/ non-real time services and multi-media)

Broadband capabilities with end-to-end QoS and transparency

Interworking with legacy networks via open interfaces

Generalized mobility

Unrestricted access by users to different service providers

A variety of identification schemes which can be resolved to IP addresses for
the purposes of routing in IP networks

Unified service characteristics for the same service as perceived by the user